I do wish they could meet on hard courts, but is it advisable to meet this early on? Would it be more exciting to meet at the end of the year hard court season? Usually though, Rafa is out of gas by that time of the year - this year he made a few changes to his playing style, but as we've all seen, he was absolutely winded by the time of the USO, and Murray literally ran him down on the semifinal, a feat previously thought impossible by many. And on the way to numero uno, he picked up knee tapes, a nasty blister, finger tapes, and god knows what else. He pulled out of the year end competition, which I absolutely missed because even though Murray, Fed, Nole, Potro, and Tsonga was there, there was not really a point. As much as I love and appreciate everyone else (equality!) Rafa was the star of the year.
Would he make more changes to his style of play? He is still 22, but I remember (oh it was so long ago) when I was 22 I had started to slow down my clubbing ways. It was the time when I thought to myself, I had to slow down or I will be hurting by the time I'm 30. I assume he has realized this, hence the style change. But there's a sense of urgency on it - would his style change comes fast enough to accomodate his injuries and the demands of old age?
But how much would he change? Would he be the Rafa I know and fell in love with, if he changes it a lot more? I admit I fell in love with his playing style first before I fell for the image of him. I've seen the big server style like Roddick, I followed Rafter and Hewitt for a while, got my heart broken by Safin repeatedly, and while Fed is really something, when Rafa plays, there's a change in the air, an hum of electricity, a buzz of excitement for me.
Or maybe that's just my woman parts talking.
Hello, bulges.
I figured your woman parts were always talking.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem very early in the year to have such a high level meetup but I guess if you're going to dive in, dive in. The ballers aren't going to be sharp so you can't really read into the wins/losses or level - which is why there are usually some big surprises (Schuettler, Clement as AO finallists???).
Even though I'll still be wiping the sleep from my eyes I can't wait for big time tennis e.g. sweaty, muscled boys playing with balls. Oh and the ladies too.
"I can’t wait for big time tennis e.g. sweaty, muscled boys playing with balls. "
ReplyDelete*brain shortcircuits for a bit*
My woman parts are very chatty, but I promise you they don't control me. Though in this post, I guess they do. It's the Rafa withdrawal! I haven't seen him since the USO. I just really, really wanna watch him in a quality match.
Clement is one of those guys who goes unnoticed for the rest of the year and then making a slam quarter/semi/final. Maybe he takes advantage of sleepy ballers.
Hmmm... I think the thing about Rafa's career and physical well-being is that he went pro so early (15 years old I think) and he's achieved so much at an early age (5 grand slams and only 22? Dang!) so I think there's been more and more discussion along the lines of "what else can he do? is there still more in him? how long is this kid gonna keep going? etc. etc." and to that I say: HELL YES! I really think Rafa is one of the most motivated players out there. He's constantly looking to improve and he loves to play. Now maybe I'm biased because I'm a Rafanatic, but I really think he's got more (healthy) years to shine :)
ReplyDeleteVAMOS RAFA! Here's to a kick-ass 2009!!
P.S. He looks so young in that photo! But with the biceps of a man... mmm Rafarms (tee hee)
Johanne,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, and how you feel. It's crazy because he's achieved so much by this age, and people starts calling Murray and Tsonga the "new" generation - for fuck's sake they're all about the same age as Rafa. As for Rafa's motivation.. well. We all know he's not the most natural tennis player in the world. His achieved his skills with a lot of hard work and pure determination. That for me, is his most enchanting facet.
P.S: It's an old picture. I like my men young. Rich called me a cougar once :/
P.P.S. Rafarms. You're a gem.
My goal in life is to be a cougar. Stupid young 23 years of age.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait until January. And I'd be happy with the early meeting of Rafa v. Roger. While I would rather it come in early September than early January I'll take what I can get.
Seriously! Tsonga is 23 and he just won his very first ATP singles title this year...so let's have some perspective, people!
ReplyDeleteRafa's determination, will, belief, enthusiasm and overall "never say die" attitude are all part of why I love him! It's amazing to watch him play. Never a dull moment. And always a hot ass to stare at. His bod is SICK. But you already know this :) BTW, I'm totally hijacking your blog...but procrastinating at work is something I'm good at, LOL.
P.S. Take the cougar comment as a compliment! Work it...work it baby...own it!
Exactly - we should all hope to be cougars one day. If not for real, then at least by ogling the crap outta younger guys. I mean we'll be older, not dead. Geesh.
ReplyDeleteYeah Rafa has been leading the generation for a while and has been playing high-level tennis while those boys were kicking off their training wheels. So the injuries beginning aren't a surprise.
But I hope he's able to manage them so they don't cut his career short - the sport needs him!
Pasty white sickly Murray gets your excited by not Roddick? You're one weirdo.
ReplyDeleteRich: LOL! And well said!
ReplyDeleteSA - You'll get there, sister. Just keep it to it.
ReplyDeleteJohanne - You know you're welcome anytime. Go nuts here. I love it. I think, one of the best match this season was at Queen's club, Nadal vs Djoko. Now *that* was passion.
shabba - I fully admit I am a weirdo - we all are at some level or the other. Excitement for Roddick was 5 years ago. He's one of those guys who just never seemed to reach his full potential for me. Shame, because I genuinely loved him. Murray, pasty white, ginger hair and receding hairline, is *now*. Contrary to what most will believe from this blog, I don't judge solely on appearance. If I do, I would be making a blog about Feli Lopez. ;)
Rich - I believe that the sport do needs him. He's bringing tennis into a wider audience - he's making tennis, er, cool. 0_0
Thanks, Babz! Oh and I totally agree about the final match at Queen's. WOW! Great play from both players, no doubt. And what a lead up to Wimbledon!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, Rafa was looking exceptionally HOT during that tourney. I think the pants he wore were a size smaller than usual :D
Hi Babz!
ReplyDeleteThere can never be enough Rafa! My woman parts are ALWAYS talking to him, about him, etc. In fact, just this morning they asked me where he was. I think they have a new trick they want to try on him. They learned it while sailing past Antarctica recently.